1) Gluten-Free should mean just that - Foods and Products that do not contain even a trace of Gluten and produced in a Gluten Free Factory (or otherwise noted).
2) It takes me 5-10 minutes to identify if a food or product is Gluten-Free. Using my Gluten-Free guide as produced by the Celiac Sprue Assoc, I cross reference each ingredient to make sure it is Gluten-Free. I also have a Celiac Sprue Assoc guide to prepared foods/products that is easier to use, but limited in its products. Therefore, I find myself buying brands that are listed in the book and not venturing outside that limited list.
3) The percentage of foods that are marked Glutenn-Free are about 4%. The are mostly health-food type brands like organic or otherwise environmentally friendly and progressive companies.
4) Having Gluten-Free printed on a product label very much influences my decision to purchase one product over another that is not labeled. Having 3 children under the age of two, limits my time spent in the store. I need a quick reference on the product in order to minimize my time spent researching each and every ingredient to ensure it is Gluten-Free. The product with the label gets my sale!
5) Gluten-Free means Gluten-Free. Having two definitions doesn't help me at all. My daughter's diet is strictly GLUTEN-FREE. There is no cheating, no just a little bit -- this is serious! One definition that means no traces, no cross contamination is all I need. However, an indication of possible cross contamination would be extremely helpful!
Thank you in advance for your time. This is a serious health issue for my family and many families. We appreciate all you can do to help us get Gluten-Free product labeling on all foods and products in the near future.
Respectfully,
Laurie Kolb
Longmont, CO